Gyeonggi-do(Bucheon-si) , Bucheon

Housed in a 27,124 m2 building with two ground floors and two underground floors, the Bucheon Botanical Garden houses many rare plants for visitors to see. The building was built in the shape of a peach flower, the symbol of Bucheon City, and has five thematic gardens: the general plant garden, aquatic plant garden, tropical plant garden, succulent plant garden, and indigenous plant garden. At the central garden, 9,975 trees representing some 310 species are planted. With a forest nearby, the botanical garden offers a great nature learning experience for visitors. Together with the Natural Ecology Museum and Children Zoo nearby, it is also a great cultural and recreational destination.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Geoje-si)

Okpo Great Victory Commemorative Park was built in 1996 to commemorate the victory of national hero, Admiral Yi Sun-sin who fought against the Japanese in the invasion of Korea from 1592~1598.Admiral Yi Sun-sin torpedoed 26 out of 50 Japanese ships gaining victory in the Okpo naval battle.A memorial hall, shrine, tower and Okporu Pavilion are located at the commemorative park. The Turtle Ship, an ironclad warship shaped like a turtle, swords crafted in the Joseon tradition, and other remains are displayed at the memorial hall. Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s picture can be seen at the shrine.On top of the 30 meter high tower and Okporu Pavilion, visitors can enjoy ocean vistas as well as a view of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd.Entrance to the breakwater is not permitted for safety reasons.


Gyeonggi-do(Yangpyeong-gun)

Only 40 minutes from Seoul, the Jungmisan Observatory is located within the Jungmisan Recreational Forest 437km above the sea level. In addition to the beautiful natural scenery, the main draw of this particular location is that there is no other place close to Seoul that has such clean air and thereby offers such an excellent view of space and the stars. From Seoul (on a good day) you might expect to see 3 stars, while at the Jungmisan Observatory you can typically view over 3,000 stars.Jungmisan Observatory is the first experience learning center to provide astronomy experience programs for infants and young children. In-house instructors help children gain a deeper understanding of space and basic astronomy by leading them through a variety of programs. The observatory has also made its mark on the community at large by introducing astronomy experience programs from advanced nations to further contribute to the public’s knowledge of this branch of science.The observatory houses a forest eco experience center, outdoor observatory field, four-wheel mountain ATV experience center, camping site, water fun site, and more. During the public school vacation period, the observatory holds an astronomical science camp.


Jeju-do()

Jeju Island, designated as Jeju Special Autonomous Province, lies southwest of the Korean Peninsula and is the largest tourist destination in Korea. The whole island was designated as a special tourist zone, and wherever tourists go, they can look upon beautiful scenery. Every year, about 8.7 million people from Korea and abroad visit this fascinating island that measures 73 km across, east to west, and 31 km, from north to south. Jeju Island was also designated as a World Natural Heritage. The climate of Jeju is quite different from the temperate climate of mainland Korea. Since the island has a subtropical climate as well as a subarctic one, there are many unique plants that can only to be found on this island. The unique sight of Jeju Island captivates travelers. The scenery that represents this volcanic island of Jeju was created by Hallasan Mountain and Oreum (parasitic cones in Jeju dialect) as well as the pillar-shaped joint on the beach. The piedmont area that visitors encounter on their way from the beach to Hallasan Mountain is a gift of nature and the piedmont area on the way to Geomun Oreum, where Jeju World Natural Heritage Center is located, is worthwhile to see. Another unique aspect here is the Jeju dialect and lifestyle. Traveling the 182 km circuit road along the coastline by car, motor scooter or bike is recommended. There is a trail for walking called “Jeju Olle” for those who choose to make a round trip on foot. Jeju Island is implementing more discretionary and diversified policies in politics and economy as well as tourism, and this is what makes Jeju worthy of the name “free international city.” * Current State of Jeju Special Tourist Zone 1) Districts Covered: All of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province (except the annexed island) 2) Area: 1,809.56k㎡ * Tourist Attractions Hallasan Mountain, Oreum (Parasitic cones), Coastal Road, piedmont area, Jeju Olle Trails, beach, museums, galleries, Jungmun Resort, etc.


Jeollabuk-do(Sunchang-gun)

Sunchang Traditional Paste Museum is located across from the Sunchang Gochujang Village. The 2-story building (1,513㎡ in size) consists of a permanent exhibition hall exhibiting Jangnyu (Fermented Sauces) such as red pepper pastes and soybean pastes, a planned exhibition hall displaying cultural treasures of Sunchang, and an outdoor square.At the permanent exhibition hall, recipes for fermented sauces and their histories are introduced, and containers for fermented sauces are displayed. An observation room for the fermentation process and spaces for hands-on experience activities are at the corners. The outdoor square attracts people with a terrace displaying earthen wares that are used to contain the fermented sauces, as well as a millstone worked by horse or ox, and an old tomb from the Baekje dynasty.


Jeollanam-do(Yeosu-si)

Geumodo Island, included in the area of Dadohaehaesang National Park, has a shape resembling a big terrapin. Many fables, folk songs and folk games have been told of this island. It features dense forests along with wild ginseng and used to be an area for hunting deer, available only to the Royal House during the Joseon period. Also, the island is a spawning areas for Black Porgy (Gamseongdom). Including the black porgy, the fishing site is suitable for other types of fish such as a red sea bream, rock bream and more. 35 species of rare birds such as brown shrike, eagle-owl and more are living in the island, so it is regarded as an animal paradise. * Composition of island: 37 islands including Geumodo Island * Area: 42.34㎢


Jeju-do(Jeju-si)

The historical site of Hangpaduri is where the Sambyeolcho military unit of the Goryeo Dynasty resisted the invasion of Mongolia until the last possible moment. The site houses an exhibition hall, a monument, and a unique mud fortress. Nearby is Jangsumul Spring (Jangsu means general) which flowed from the footprints of General Kim Tong-jeong. Today, water from the spring cannot be used as drinking water. Sambyeolcho was a military unit of the Goryeo Dynasty. When the Goryeo Dynasty made peace with the Mongolian forces in February 1270 (the 11th year of King Wonjong), the Sambyeolcho special defense unit opposed it and launched a resistance movement. They moved their base to Jindo in Jeollanam-do but after suffering a huge defeat, they moved to Jeju-do and built Hangpaduseong Fortress. They continued to fight against the Mongolian forces for two more years there. However, all the members were killed in April 1273 (the 14th year of King Wonjong). This independent anti-Mongolian movement was born out the deeply patriotic belief in the need to safeguard the nation from foreign invasion. In 1977, the government invested 745 million won to restore part of the fortress and build a monument in commemoration of those who died in the war. The work was completed in June 1978.


Jeollanam-do(Haenam-gun)

Duryunsan Mountain (703m) is a famous mountain in Jeolanam-do. With its eight peaks, it is a home to many temples and historic sites. The mountain also holds great importance in plant chorology as its forests consist of warm-temperate broad-leaved evergreens and deciduous broad-leaved trees. The mountain peak can be reached by trekking for about 2-3 hours from the entrance of Daeheungsa Temple or by the Daeryunsan Cable Car (one way 8-minute), which departs from the entrance on the opposite side of the mountain and takes visitors to a spot right below the peak. From the mountain summit, there is a view of the three sides of Dadohae (Sea of Many Islands) and on a clear day, it is possible to see as far as Mt. Hallasan on Jeju Island. Nearby tourist attractions include Uhangri Dinosaur Museum Complex, Usuyeong Tourism Village and Ttangkkeut Village.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Miryang-si)

Just north of Cheonhwangsan Mountain (Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do), Eoreumgol Valley (Ice Valley) sits at an elevation between 600 and 750m and covers an area of 29,752m². Designated as Natural Monument No.224, the valley is unusual in that it begins to freeze in March when the weather becomes warm and thaws in the fall when the weather becomes cold. In the winter, the valley generates warm breezes and the water rarely freezes. Because of these unique attributes, the valley is considered one of the Four Mysteries in Miryang and attracts visitors from early summer through fall.Other notable ice valleys in Korea include Binggye Gyegok in Uiseong (Gyeongsangbuk-do), Punghyeol Naengcheon in Yanghwa Village (Jinan, Jeollabuk-do), and Aircongul in Nari Plain (Ulleungdo Island).